This guy… Went to Walmart and chose a $77 pair of headphones. Do you think he paid? Nah… He went into the men’s restroom and opened the package, hid said headphones somewhere on his body and left the store. An associate observed him go into the restroom with the headphones and found the empty package when he exited. He had left the store by the time the associate got to the front of the store. Anyone who recognizes him should call Detective Hebson at 863-291-5620.
Bartow,
Fla. (May 27, 2021) — Due
to lack of rain,Polk County has experienced dry weather conditions for
an extensive period of time, therefore Polk County Fire Rescue has issued a
burn ban.
The
increase in risk of brush fires and uncontrolled fires are a threat to the
public health, safety and general welfare of Polk County. There are also no
signs of abatement of these dangerous
fire
conditions anytime soon.
The
burn ban includes, but is not limited to:
Campfires
Bonfires
Unpermitted
controlled burns
Burning of
yard and household trash
Burning of
construction debris
Burning of
organic debris
Igniting of
fireworks
Noncommercial burning of
material other than for religious or ceremonial purposes which is not
contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit and the total fuel area does
not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
“We
have held off as long as we possibly can on issuing this burn ban,” said Fire
Chief Rob Weech. “But conditions are favorable for the rapid development and
spread of brush fires and we need to take every step necessary to ensure the
safety of everyone. We also don’t want anyone to lose property or investments
due to fire.”
Currently
the average on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Polk County is at 508
with a minimum of 420 and a maximum of 597. The KBDI index is used as an
indicator to determine the likelihood and severity of brush fires. While high
KBDI values are an indication that conditions are favorable for the occurrence
and spread of wildfires, drought is not by itself a prerequisite for such
fires. Other weather factors, such as wind, temperature, relative humidity and
atmospheric stability, play a major role in determining the actual fire danger.
The
burn ban applies to all unincorporated Polk and all municipalities except Lake
Wales.
Anyone
who refuses to comply or violates this burn ban shall be in violation of County
Ordinance 08-015 and can be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment
by a term not to exceed 60 days in the county jail or both.
After a yearlong hiatus, what could be better than stretching your legs and taking a breath of fresh air with your favorite four-legged furry friend? You and your dog can have that opportunity at the 29th Annual Walk for Animals on Sat. June 5.
From 9 am to 12 pm, Dog owners and their furry companions will be able to walk around scenic Lake Mirror Promenade in Downtown Lakeland to help raise money and awareness for SPCA Florida. The event is free to attend, but those who officially want to support the cause can register for $35 ($25 for ages ten and under) to receive a free t-shirt, doggie bandana, and contest entry.
Aside from the fundraising walk, the fun-filled day will also include food trucks, costume contests, a kids zone play area, live music, and a diverse selection of local vendors. All proceeds go towards benefiting SPCA Florida and their adoptable animals.
Started in 1979, SPCA Florida is Polk County’s only no-kill shelter. For 40 plus years, they have dedicated their services towards ensuring their adoptable animals receive a good forever home. And for the past 29 years, their annual fundraiser has rallied locals and their pets towards supporting a good cause.
“The popularity of people to bring their dog to the event to support a shelter to save lives is very compelling to people,” said Randa Richter, Media & Partnership Relations SPCA Florida.
Typically hosted in April, this year’s event was postponed until June to ensure public health and safety. To further protect attendees during these uncertain times, special precautions will be taken. Previously events had drawn in more than 400 people. This year’s event is expected to draw in 200 to 300 people, Richter said.
Since the event is hosted outdoors on a paved surface, precautions will also be taken to ensure that all four-legged companions will have a cool surface to walk on. In case the heat becomes intense enough, volunteers will wet and cool the area with water.
“We are hoping to have a good old-fashioned event again and being in person…[W]e are excited to raise money and funds for the people in person…[we expected people] just to socialize and have fun with people, to have fun with other dogs and save a life at a shelter,” Richter said.
SPCA Florida Walk for Animals will be hosted on Sat. Jun. 5 from 8 am to 12 pm at Frances Langford Promenade. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.spcaflorida.org/walkforanimals
Polk County Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into a shooting in the Jan Phyl Village area of Polk County (just West of Winter Haven and South of Auburndale).
According to Brian Bruchey, Public Information Officer) with Polk County Sheriff’s Office the shooting occurred around 7:50pm on Wednesday night. Details of the situation are currently not being released, but are expected later today. No information regarding victim(s) or suspect(s) is being released at this time either. Bruchey did confirm there is currently “no danger to the public”.
We will update this article as more details are released.
The tag switch-a-roo is back. The three pictured were observed switching prices on items to the tune of $287 at Walmart (355 Cypress Gardens Blvd.). Yes, they were observed and when associates attempted to stop them, they swiftly left the store. Do you recognize any of them? Please contact Detective Lozado at 863-401-2256.
Homicide detectives
from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office have charged an inmate at the Polk County
Jail for the murder of another inmate.
36-year-old John
Smith, who remains in the jail, was charged Tuesday, May 25, 2021 with 1st Degree Murder. Detectives determined Smith
severely stomped 40-year-old Shaun Seaman in their shared cell at the South
County Jail in Frostproof on Thursday, May 13th.
A detention deputy
conducting routine checks on inmates discovered Seaman bleeding and
unconscious. He was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center for
treatment, and on May 21st at
about 2:45 PM, Mr. Seaman passed away.
An autopsy on Monday,
May 24th at the District 10
Medical Examiner’s Office, showed that Mr. Seaman sustained blunt force trauma
to his head, including a skull fracture and multiple contusions on his brain.
The manner of death was ruled homicide.
During the
investigation, detectives were able to conclude that John Smith was responsible
for inflicting Mr. Seaman’s fatal injuries.
“The investigation
showed that Smith, unprovoked, stomped Mr. Seaman causing his death. We are
looking forward to the criminal justice system holding Smith responsible for
the murder of Shaun Seaman. Our prayers are with Mr. Seaman’s family.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
On May 25, 2021, PCSO detectives arrested 35-year-old Brittney Medina of Lakeland for DUI and Child Abuse.
At around 11:00 p.m., deputies responded to a vehicle crash that had occurred at the intersection of Clubhouse Road and Live Oak Road in unincorporated south Lakeland. Medina, who was driving a silver 2016 Kia Sorrento westbound on Clubhouse Road where it terminates at Live Oak Road, had driven through Live Oak Road and off the roadway and through a fence before her car came to rest near a tree in a residential backyard. No other vehicles were involved.
Medina sustained no injuries from the crash. A child was also in the vehicle and sustained no injuries. The child abuse without great bodily harm charge stems from the child being placed in immediate danger of injury and/or death by the actions of Ms. Medina.
According to the affidavit, Medina’s eyes were bloodshot and watery and she slurred her speech. Medina consented to and failed a standardized field sobriety test.
Medina told deputies she was on her way home from a graduation party and had one glass of wine. She claimed her brakes failed at the intersection. Medina is employed as an attendance counselor at Lakeland Christian School.
“There is no excuse for placing a child in danger. Thankfully, no one was hurt or killed in this crash. Please, call a friend or family member, or use the numerous resources available – just don’t drink and drive.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Medina was arrested for DUI With Property Damage (M1) and Child Abuse Without Great Bodily Harm (F3), and was transported to the Polk County Jail where her blood alcohol level was recorded as 0.118 and 0.129 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. The legal threshold for DUI is 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. She is currently being held without bond.
Inquiries about Medina’s employment should be directed to Lakeland Christian School.
Attention City irrigation re-use customers. The City of Winter Haven is OUT OF RE-USE today with a goal to restore the supply within 48 hrs. If you are unsure if you are re-use water customer, check your Winter Haven Water bill for “RU” under the service readings section. If you have questions on or the re-use issue or water conservation please call 863-291-5678.
AC/DC. Bon Jovi. Journey. These are some of the 1980s core bands whose music guitarist Joe Cooper loves to play with his band Smokepoint. Aside from 80s rock classics, they also like to mix their performances with contemporary hits from Maroon 5 and Jonas Brothers.
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Cooper and his bandmates have performed live music for eight years across Central Florida, but perhaps their favorite venue is for Rock For Paws, the annual fundraiser for SPCA Florida.
Smokepoint performed during the second annual Rock for Paws, hosted at Polk Theatre in Lakeland last Saturday evening. Joe and his bandmates played the greatest hits of the 1980s, including “Walk This Way” and “You Give Love A Bad Name.”
Throughout their performance, video footage of past concerts played interspersed with footage of cute animals playing and frolicking in cute scenes at the SPCA animal shelter. Attendees either listened to their music or even got on stage to dance in front of and next to the band as they played.
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“We sold a lot of tickets,” Cooper said. “We have people enjoying themselves and coming up on stage dancing, so we consider this a huge success for the SPCA.”
Copper and his band had a longstanding relationship with the SPCA Florida from a fundraising standpoint. His band has supported the organization for many years. They appreciate the services it provides the local communities by finding stray animals good homes.
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“We help with a great cause. They help thousands of animals every year, especially the homeless ones,” he said. “For me, the event is awesome. Performing is awesome. Planning is fun…but for me, performing live on stage is awesome.”
This is the second year that Smokepoint has performed for Rock For Paws, the annual fundraiser for the Florida SPCA. Founded in 1979 in Lakeland, the non-profit organization is, according to its website, “dedicated to improving the lives of pets and people in the community, SPCA Florida provides caring, compassion, and hope to several thousand homeless pets every year.”
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The fundraiser was initially inspired by Smokepoint, who had approached the SPCA Florida about the proposal. As the band had a large following, with nearly 3,000 followers on Facebook, the band seemed like the ideal act for such a fundraiser, explained Rhanda Richter, SPCA Florida Media Relations.
“They had envisioned hosting a concert to benefit a non-profit and what better organization to benefit than one that helps animals?” said Richter. “Smokepoint has a large following. So between the SPCA and the band, a lot of people came the first time, and we doubled our attendance for this one.”
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More than 200 tickets were sold before the event, with attendees making further donations using a mobile app. Attendees could listen to the music as performed by Smokepoint and walk on stage to dance alongside the band. They could also enjoy refreshments served at the concession stand and at food trucks and a full bar outside.
This was the first event to be hosted since the COVID-19 crisis started. The turnout proved more than satisfactory, with people coming out in droves to attend their event and listen to live music, Richter said.
“[It’s time for] people to relax, have a good time, and socialize,” she said. “We have not been around people for almost a year. So what better way to be around people and help animals.”
SPCA Florida will be hosting its annual Walk for Animals at Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror on Sat., June 8 from 8 am to 12 pm. For more information, visit their Facebook page or their website at: https://www.spcaflorida.org/
